Heartland lead,Kano Pillars grab first win in pre season tourney

The Owerri side are on top after the first two round of matches to rise to the summit of the table as others play catch up in Kano

Heartland have stormed to the top of the log in the Kano pre season tournament after a battling 2-2 draw with oriental brothers, Enugu Rangers on Thursday.

The Naze Millionaires twice took the lead through Happy Okuoka in the 20th minute and David Tyavkasse in the 65th minute but the Flying Antelopes managed to claw their way back via Kehinde Adegbite in the 55th minute and Uche Oguchi from the penalty spot in the 85th minute.

With the surprise 1-0 victory over Kano Pillars on Wednesday, Heartland are on top of the 4 team table with 4 points from 2 matches ahead of the last day of fixtures billed for Sunday in Kano.

Both matches took place at the Sani Abacha Stadium,Kano and the pre season tourney was organised to put the nation's representatives in the 2013 CAF inter club outing in good stead ahead of their matches with the Nigeria Premier League season billed to start on February 16.

In the second match played on Thursday, Kano Pillars recovered from their lethargic display against Heartland to inflict a 3-1 defeat on Lobi Stars to reclaim second spot on the log with barely a match to the end of the pre season tourney. All the four goals were scored in the first half of the tie.

Kano Pillars Rabiu Ali scored two goals, while Samuel Twsanya got the third goal. Benedict Atule had put Lobi Stars in the driving seat in the sixth minute when he converted a penalty.

In the last round of matches slated for Saturday, Heartland will go all out for a victory against Lobi Stars to seal their conquest in the tourney while rejuvenated Kano Pillars have a mountain to climb against CAF Champions League rivals, Rangers.